Two quiet boys

I gave jazz a half hour bend and stretch session in walk so as not to overtax him, but to loosen off any aches after yesterday. He was great, circles, shoulder in, travers, straight again (usually a problem) faster/slower walk (super extended walk, really super.) He had a problem with the changes of bend in a three loop serpentine. Eventually I had to put him in an overbent position to stop him dropping the bend across the centre line. He cottoned on then to what I wanted, and did me a perfect one. Job done, good boy!

I rode Zippy, who is getting better and better about getting on. He is also reliably coming to call, with Jazz trailing behind, every single day. What a star! He was obstructive today. I think that Jazz has realised how well Zip is doing, and in order to stop me thinking that Zip is better than him, he has had a word in his ear. "Oy, mate, don't do everything she wants or you'll end up a Mummy's boy. Don't want people to call you a wuss, do you?"

Whatever, Zip was dropping back behind me today and took a bit of persuasion to stay out in front of my leg. Of course, when his back is down and set the steering and the brakes are also out of kilter. I decided to work through it, because it's not an evasion that I want him to learn has any positive effects. So I sent him on, and sent him on, every time he dropped back. Mostly in walk, a bit in trot. He suddenly clicked and gave me a wonderful contact and rounded up his back under my seat, and there it all was. Smashing.

What a nice day.


C